Stroke adjuster for idle shapers



June 17, 1930. w. F. ZIMMERMANN STROKE ADJUSTER FOR IDLE SHAPERS Filed Sept. 16, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet l aywemtoz W7 $39 Qt towar W) W June 17, 1930. w. F. ZIMMERMANN 1,764,093 STROKE ADJUSTER FOR IDLE SHAPERS Filed Sept. 16, 1927 '3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z .O k MPH N m 0/ flu m 2 x m mun W m n kn 4 Nu WW N an mm u 0000 0 n T a o 1 L w? E hm M 0 .00 u Q n Pww L 0 M 00 I; gm 0h w mm vx um ||w-|||| hm )WN QR .NN 0% O O O O G ww an MN \N1 NW 0w Iwm. n6 0 Q 0 RN Nn m N0 Qw m 0K 9% W&

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STROKE ADJUSTER FOR IDLE SHAPERS 5 Sheeis-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 16, 1927 I Snow 01 @3913 Gum,

Patented June 17, 1930 entrenstares earsnr tries J WILLIAM F. ZIMMERIEANN, F WLAPLEWOOD, NF-VJ' JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 GOULD 85 EBEREARDT, OF NEWARK, HEV JERSEY, A COEPQRATION OF NEW JERSEY STROKE ADJUSTER FOR IDLE SHAPERS Application filed September 16, 1927. Serial No. 219,925.

Certain types of machine tools have long been built to meet definite requirements in the art of metal working wherein a single cutting tool operates upon the work in a straight line motion. Such an operation is exemplified in the machine tool known as a shaper wherein the work is held on a supporting table and a cutting tool fixed against movement on a constantly reciprocating ram engages the work and moves in a straight line relative thereto. The work table receives an intermittent motion between strokes of the ram at right angles to the line of motion of the ram and cutting tool whereby a new portion of the work is presented to the cutting'tool upon each forward cutting stroke thereof.

It was early found advantageous to provide the operating'mechanism with adjustable means whereby the length of stroke could be varied in order, e. g. that the tool would not unnecessarily overrun the work or that the tool cut could'b'e held to" definite dimensions.

It was also conceived that indicator means 'in combination with the stroke adjusting ieans would be highly beneficial whereby the stroke could beset for predetermined amounts and accordingly various andingenious devices were designed in combination with particular types of ram actuating and stroke adjusting means.

This invention has for its objects the provision of improved and simplified indicator means, and one which is especially advantageous in connection with the type of adjusting means including an adjusting shaft centrally mounted in the supporting hub of the driving gear unit. An indicator carrier is mounted on the end of the shaft but fixed to the driving member whereby the rotation of the adjusting shaft relative thereto is utilized to operate worm gearing and a dial mounted on the carrier. Thedial is so mounted on the carrier that it occupies a horizontal position where it can be easily read when the ram driving mechanism is idle and in its most favorable position for ustn; nt. Also it nece arily follows eio're that the operator easily tell from the position of dial when the driving mechanism is advantageously positioned'for adj ustment. V

The objects further include the provision of worm or screw threads at'the outer end of the adjustingshaft adapted to actuate the dial and which threads are also adapted to accommodate a nut whicl1,throu gh the intermediary of friction'washers and the dial carrier, serves to lock the shaft to the driving member in its adjusted positions. 7

Two exemplifications of the invention-- are herein disclosed each having themajor'features outlined above embodied in a practical application thereof withcertain accompanying advantages which'will be more evident from the detail description.

7 Other objects and advantages :will be in part indicated in the following description 'machine' tool; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary dctail view'of the large driving gear mounted witliin'the casing and showing parts of the stroke adjusting means. Fig. 3 1s a vertical cross sectional view of the driving gear and its co-acting mechanism. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of'the outer end of the adjusting shaft and showing one formxo'f' the stroke indicator means mounted thereon. Fig. 5 is a vertical enolview of the mechanism shown in Fig. i but with portions of the indicator carrier broken away tobetter show the dial and its operating, mechanism. Fig. 6 is anen-larged elevational viewyof a second form or. modification of the indicator .F 7 is a vertical cross sectional on the line 7 7:s f-Fig.' 61;,

throughout all the views, of

table 16 adjustably mounted on the cross rail 17 adapted to be adjusted vertically j along ways on thef nain housing 10.

. end-plate by set screws35 to rotate there- 'with. A second cam 34 is keyed to the hub Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 7.

r The invention is shown incorporated in a shaper, which is, as shown, more or less in general of a conventional type and comprises a main'supporting frame and housing 10 and its base 11, having mounted in ways at the upper end thereof theram 12 which carries the tool-head 13 at the outer end'thereof andwhich tool-head has the cutting-tool 14 mounted in a suitable toolholder 15, such tool 14obeing adapted to receive a straight line motion from'the reciprocations .of the head in the usual manner in machines of this type.

The general construction includes a work- The driving mechanism is conventionally shown as a train of gearing comprising gears 18,19, 20, 21, 22and the large bull-gear 23. The large driving gear 23 has integral therewith an outwardly extending drum-like hub 24 adapted to rotate in the bearing 25 of the main housing. Secured to the outerend of the hub 24 is a plate25 held inposition on i the hub by suitable set screws 26, such plate having an overhanging portion 27. adapted to engage the outer end surfaces of the bear-' ing 25 to prevent inward axial movement of the driving gear-unit A cover-plate 29 is provided adapted to fit over the outer end ,of the driving gearunit and to provide a housing for certain operating-.mechanism to be hereinafter de scribed. The end-plate 25 has an outward ly projecting central portion 30 upon which ISIIIOHIltGfl a hand wheel 31, which hand wheel has a bearing hub portion 32vinserted between the hub 30 and the bearing 29 of the housing 29 and is rotatable relative to each. j; 7 r g Mounted on the hub 30 of is a cam 34 being rigidlypfastened to the 32 of the hand wheel 31 for adjustment relative to the cam 34, detent means 36 being provided to releasably hold the wheel 31 in its adjusted positions A plunger37 adapted to reciprocate in the bearing 38 co-acts with the cams.

This plunger together with associated gearing at the lower end thereof constitutes ameans for rotating the shaft- 39 'whichleads to the operating mechanism located in the cross-rail 17 for imparting an intermittent cross movement to the work table 16 between the strokes of the ram and in proper timed relation thereto.

- The'above .deseribed mechanism for imparting movement to the work table forms "the subject matter of a'separate application Serial No. 197 ,7 97 filed June 10,1927 and is, therefore, only shown herein to an extent the end-plate 7 pin 46 radially of the' dr'iving gear.-

sufficient to disclose the general organization, it being obvious that other table operating means may beresorted to in combination with the novel indicator means disclosed herein without materially altering the structure embodying the invention claimed in this application.

Returning to the more general features of I the driving mechanism for the ram, such -mechanisni includes a lever on rocker arm 40 pivoted at its upper end to the ram 12 and being adjustable relative thereto and clamped in its adjusted position by means of the hand lever 41 in well known manner. The lower endof the r'ockerarm 40 is piv- .oted at 42 through the link 43 which, in

Means are provided for adjusting the crank pin 45 radially of the bull-gear 23 whereby the length of stroke of the ram may be varied, which consists of guideways 49 formed on the driving gear having mounted therein the cross head 50 slidably secured therein by the plates 51 and'which cross head carries the crank pin 45.

The means for adjusting the cross head 1 along these ways consist of the adjusting shaft 52 extending in the direction of the axis of the driving unit and having a hear ing in the hub portion 30 of the end-plate. The inner. end of the shaft carriesa bevel gear 53, which gear has a hub portion sups ported in the bearing 54 which also serves 7 as a thrust bearing for the bevel gear.

, Mounted on the driving gear 23 adjacent the inner end of the adjusting shaft 52 is a rotatable shaft- 55 supported at one end in the bearing 56 formed on the gear-wheel and said shaft having at-its opposite end a worm 57 adapted to engage with co-acting threads in the cross-head 50. Theshaft has keyed thereon a bevel pinion 58zmeshing' with the bevel gear 53on the adjusting shaft; the bearing end of theshaft 55 hasthereon lli) adjustable 'lockingnuts 59 and washers-6O which'co-act with the bevel pinion" and the flanged portion 61 to hold the shaft against axial movement in its bearing 56. Asmay be seen rotation of the adjusting shaft 52 rotates the cross shaft 55 to adjust the crank V s Stroke indicator means are "mounted on the outer end of the s'haftone form of which is fullyillustrated in- Figs. 3,4 and- 5. The means include a cylindrical carrier 63 which has an opening 64 adapted to receive the extended hub portion 30 of the plate 24* and is rigidly secured thereto by means of the set screws whereby the indicator carrier revolves with the driving gear unit. The outer end'of the adjusting shaft 52 is provided with a squared end 66 which permits theapplication thereto of a suitable wrench for rotating the adjusting shaft relative to the driving unit. The adjusting shaft is normally secured to the driving unit to rotate therewith by means of the nut 67, which, as shown, is a knurled nut adapted to be grasped by the operator but if desired may be of any other type of nut as, for

example, a wrench operated nut. The outer end of the adjusting shaft 52 is screw threaded as shown at 68, which screw threads receive the locking nut 67 and also areadapted to operate the dial indicator 'means as will be later described.

The construction preferably includes a washer 69 rotatable with the adjusting shaft through a'connection' consisting of the pin 70 and key way 71. A. friction washer 72 is interposed between the washer 69 and the indicator carrier 63. The periphery of the indicator carrier has cut-away portion 73 in which the dial'tl is arranged. Botatably mounted within the indicator carrier is a stud"75, thestud being provided with an annular groove 7 6 coacting with a set screw 77 which normally prevents the outward axial movement of the stud 7 5. The central portion of the stud 75 is machined to form a worm wheel adapted to engage with the worm threads on the adjusting shaft 52. As shown the worm Wheel 78 is integral with and: forms part of the shaft but, as is obvious, may be separately formed and assembled thereon if desired. The dial it in the above described embodiment of the invention is held directly on the outer end of the stud by means of the machine screw 79. The dial is graduated in a desired manner to indicate the stroke of the ram, the ratio of the driving gears being such that the dial receives one complete rotation or slightly less for the entire range.

of stroke adjustment. Thereading may be determined by the index mark 80 on the indicator carrier.

Another form of the indicator carrier and -dial means is shown in detail in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. In this emboch lent the carrier 81 VG1- 'decidedadvanta es with res eat to com 0 venience in addition to the compact: simplified arrangement. The dial. is arranged to have a definiteposi tiorrwith respect to the position of the rocker arm 40. It is clear that the most favorable position for adjusting the crank pin 45- is that in which the rocker airmoc'cupies a vertical vposition since in this position the crankpin may be moved without moving the rocker arm, assuming that the machineis not in operation. Mechanism" of this type is sometimes adjusted while the machine is inoperation but in view of the fact that the shaft 52 rotates continuousl with the driving unit such adjusting operation is extremely dangerous and cannot be accomplish'ed with any very great degree of accurac'y. This machine is designed primarily to be usted when the machine is idle and this condition enables an arrangement to be resorted to whereby the dial also serves to inform the operator whenthe drivingunit is in a favorable position for easy adjustment. This arrangement consists in having. the dial carrier and dial thereon so positioned that when the dial isuppermost, as shown for example in Figs. 5' and 6 the rocker arm occupies a v cal position and the dial is present-ed horizontally in full view of the operator. V

\Vithout further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthisinvention that others can, by appl 'zingv current knowledge, readily adapt it for, various utilizations by retaining one or more ofthe features that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of'either the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefor, such adaptations should e, and are. intended to be, comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims Having thus revealed this invention, I claim as new and desire to secure the following combinations and-elements, or equivalents thereof, byLetters Patent of United tates 1. A sha er combinin 'ram reci arocate ing means; means for adjusting the stroke thereof; an actuating shaft 'for said stroke adjusting means; and nieansfor indicating the length of stroke in the-adjusted positions comprising, an indicator carrier mounted on said shaft and fixed on said reciprocating means whereby said shaft may be rotated relative thereto, a stud mounted in said carrier, gearlng connecting said stud to said shaft, and dial means on said carrier operatively connected to said stud.

2. A shaper combining ram stroke ad ustnected to said adjusting means; an-indicator carrier mounted on said shaftthe shaft'being rotatable relative; thereto; screw threads mg means; a manually operable shaft 'conits on said shaft; a 'WOIlIl wheel mounted in -said carrier engaging, said screw threads;

stroke indicator means mounted on said car- 'rier vconnected to'said worm wheel to be operated bysaid relative rotation; and a lock nut operable on said threads to lock said shaft in adjusted position.

3; A shaper combining a ram; driving means for reciprocating said ram; means for ad usting said driving means to obtain ram strokes of predetermined length; an actuating shaft for said adjusting means; and means for indicating the length of stroke in the adjusted position comprising, an iniii) dicator carrier mounted ad acent said shaft and fixed to said drivin means whereby said shaft may be rotated vrelative thereto,

screw threads on said shaft, a worm'wheel mounted insaid carrier engaging said screw threads, and indicator means mounted :on

said carrier to rotate therewith operated from said Worm wheel said indicator means being so arranged on said carrier as to be uppermost when said driving means is in a favorable position for easy adjustment.

4; A shaper combining a ram; a pivoted arm connected thereto a rotary driving member; means connecting said driving member to said arm for imparting oscillatory movement thereto; a shaft arranged in said 7 driving member in the direction of its axis;

necting said driving member to said mm for imparting an oscillatory movement 'thereto; a shaft axially arranged in said driving member; means connecting said shaft to said transmission means for varying the stroke of said ram by ad ustment of said shaft-relative to saiddriving member; an indicator" carrier mounted :on said driving 7 {member to rotatethe'rewith; a stud mounted in said' carriersubstantially right angles to saidshaft'; gearing connecting'said stud to said shaft; adial mounted on the 'periph cry of said carrier and adapted to conform to, theexterior thereof; .means for rotating said dial from said stud, the arrangement --being such that when the dial is uppermost and substantially horizontal the transmission means is in its most favorable position foradjustment I o V :6, shaper combining aram; a lever arm connected thereto; a crank gear; aconnection therefrom to said lever to cscillate tlie latter; a shaft mounted in said crank gear, extending in the direction of its axis; means actuated by rotation of said shaft relative to the gear to adjust said connection and there- I by vary the stroke of the ram; and means to indicate the amount of adjustment and thereby the stroke comprising an indicator carrier fixed to said crank 'gearadj acent said shaft, a rotary stud mounted therein, worm gearing connecting said stud to said shaft,

and dial means mounted on said carrier operatively connected to said stud for indi cating the stroke.

7. In a shaper, a ram; a pivoted rocker arm connected thereto; a rotary driving member; a radially adjustable'crank pin thereon adapted to engage said arm to oscillate the latter; a shaft mounted in said driving member adapted to be rotated relative thereto and connected to said crank pinfor adjustment thereof; and means to indicate the amount of ad ustment of said crank pin and thereby the stroke of the ram compris-- ing-an indicator carrier mounted on said driving member to rotato therewith, screw threads on said shaft, a Worm wheel mounted o in said carrier engaging said screw threads,

and a dial on said carrier operatively connected to said worm wheel.

8. Ashaper combining a ram; a pivoted lever connected thereto; a rotarydriving member for imparting an'ioscillatory movement to said lever; adjustable connections .therebetween; a shaftmounted axially of said driving member and adapted to be rotated relative thereto; mechanism operative by said shaft to adjust said connections to vary the stroke of the ram; an indicator car- 1 her positively fixed to said drivingmember to rotate therewith and having said shaft extending therethrough; screw threads on v the outer end of said shaft; a worm wheel mounted in saidcarrier engaging said screw threads; means operated by said wheel to 7 indicate the length of stroke in adjusted positions of said shaft; and a nut on said shaft end co-operative with said carrier to lock the shaft in adjusted positions.

9. A machine tool combining, catory member; a rocker arm connected thereto;ra rotary driving member; an ad justable eccentric pin thereon engagingsaid' rocker arm to impart. an oscillatory movement thereto; a shaft mounted in'said driving member; means for rotating said shaft relative to said dr-iving member; conne'c' ,tions fronrsaid shaft to adjust said eccentric Y a recipropin; an indicator carrierinounted on the outer, endof-said shaft and po'sitively 'held on said driving member to rotate therewith; screw threads on said outer shaft end; a

gear mounted in said carrier engaging said screw threads; indicatorhmeans on said carrier operated bysaid gear to indicate the position of said eccentric and thereby the,

stroke of said reciprocatory member; and a nut engaging said screw threads and cooperative with said carrier to lock said shaftin its adjusted positions.

10. A shaper combining a ram; a lever connected thereto; a rotary driving member for imparting an oscillatory movement to said lever; an adjustable connection therebetween for varying the stroke of said ram; a shaft mounted in said driving member; means for rotating said shaft relative to said driving member; means for adjusting said connection by said relative rotation of said shaft and to thereby vary the stroke of said ram; an indicator carrier mounted on said shaft and fixed to said driving member to rotate therewith; a stud mounted in said carrier; gearing connecting said stud to said shaft operated by said relative rotations; and dial means on said carrier operated by said stud to indicate the ram stroke, said dial being so arranged as to be uppermost when the ram operating mechanism is in a favorable position for easy adjustment.

11. A shaper combining, a ram; operating mechanism therefor comprising, a rocker arm pivoted thereto and a rotary driving member having an adjustable connection to said arm for oscillating the latter; an adjusting shaft mounted in said driving member; means for rotating said shaft "elative to said member; mechanism operated by said relative rotation for adjusting said connection; an indicator carrier mounted on said shaft and fixed to said driving member to rotate therewith; a stud mounted in said carrier; gearing connecting said stud to said shaft; dial means for indicating the ram stroke mounted on said carrier and operatively connected to said stud, the axis of said dial being substantially at right angles to said shaft and said dial being arranged to be uppermost when said operating mechanism is in a favorable position for adjustment.

12. A shaper combining ram reciprocating means including a rotary driving member therefor; means for varying the length of stroke of said ram; an operating shaft for said last named means mounted in said driving member and rotatable relative thereto; indicating means secured to said driving member and disposed to rotate about an axis transverse to the axis of driving member; and reduction gearing for connecting said rotary indicating means to said shaft whereby a plurality of rotations of said shaft relative to said driving member results in less than one rotation of said indicating means on its own axis.

13. A shaper combining a ram; a pivoted lever connected thereto; a rotary driving member; a crank pin thereon operable in a slot in said lever for imparting an oscillatory movement to the latter; means for adjusting said pin radially of said driving member and parallel to said slot in a predetermined position of the lever; a shaft extending thru said driving member and operatively connected to adjust said crank pin; stroke indicating means mounted to revolve with said driving member; reduction gearing connecting said indicating means to said adjusting shaft whereby a plurality of rotations of said shaft relative to the driving member operates said indicating means thru not more than one rotation on its own axis, and the relation of the parts being such that when the indicating means is in its uppermost position the dial means aresubstantially horizontal and the oscillatory lever occupies said predetermined position for easy adjustment.

1%. A shaper combining ram reciprocating means; a rotary driving member therefor; adjustable connections between said driving member and reciprocating means for varying the stroke; a shaft for operating said adjustable connection extending thru said driving member; an indicator carrier mounted on said driving member with the outer end of said operating shaft extending therethru; a dial operating stem mounted in said car ier extending transversely to said shaft; gearing connecting said stem with said operating shaft; rotary indicating means located in the periphery of said carrier; and operating connections between said stem and indicating means, the arrangement being such that when the indicating means is uppermost the mechanism is in a favorable position for easy operation of said adjustable connection.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name.

WILLIAM F. ZIMMERMANN. 

